MR. PETER DAWSON

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2343, 28 December 1914, Page 3

MR. PETER DAWSON

BALLAD CONCERT IN THE TOWN HALL The extraordinary rogue of the gramaphone in recent years' has been the means of introducing to mufeic-lovers in these oversea Dominions a number of:artists who, though not exactly m what might be called, -the first flight of musical eminence, havo nevertheless won for themselves 1 a place in public favour as much ,hy their capacity for "reproducing" well for gramaphone records as by their ability te please on the concert platform. Amongst those is Mr. Peter Dawaon, the robust bantone, who created such an excellent impression as one of the principals m the Royal Choral Society's recent per-, formances of the "Messiah." Mr. Dawson is touring with his wife (billed as MissAnnetta George) t soprano; Miss Grace Newman, violinist; and Miss Carlien Jure, pianist; under the direction of Messrs. J. and N. Tait, and gave his first ballad concert at the Town Hall Concert Chamber on Saturday evening, before an audience which, wae heartily appreciative of the programme presented. Mr. Dawson's forte is a rousing, rollicking song, like "The Admiral's Broom" or "The Song of the Toreador" (from "Carmen"), which he sings really well, -using his powerful full-toned voioe to great. , advantage. Sentimental iballad's, better adapted for lyric tenors of romantic appearance, are not in Mr. Dawson's province, though he singe them passably. Mr. Dawson's languishings are of . the Titanic kind, a fact which was appropriately demonstrated in bis opening number on Saturday night, when he gave a splendid rendition of Handel's "■ well-known aria (frpm "Acis and Galatea"), "0, Ruddier Than the Cherry." In this song the giant Polyphenius in ponderous transports, describee his inamorata, and Handel's music admirably pictures the amorous thunder of the v Titan. .- .Mr. Dawson.'.was . heartily ■recalled, . and throughout the evening was very generous in his responses to encore calls. Amongst other numbers he sang Coningsb.r Clarke's "The Blind Ploughman." ■'■ .Frederick Clay's "Sands o' Dee," Schumann's: '-'Two Grenadiers," "The Floral Dance" '(Kate Moss), ."Parted" (Tosti), "Toreador" (Bizet's "Carmen"),' etc., imparting to , such items as the "Two..Grenadiers" , and the /'Toreador , ' 'a fine ''bravura style, animation, and dramatio energy , . .Mies Annetta George, who with Mr. Dawsott was heard previously in "The Messiah," sang ballads. ;of. which the song, "Wake Up" (Montague- _H. .Phillips) was perhaps the most pleasing. Miss' George has a very clear and liquid quality of soprano, voice,; but rather colourless, '.' lending.; a , suggestion >■ of. monotony to the song." This defect was rather pronounced in her opening item, "Butterfly's Song! , (Puccini's "La 80-heme"). Miss George also sang, acceptably, Dorothy FprsterV I Bring You' Daffodile," and added ■several recall numbers, "..■■■'.'-■■' :.

Miss.Grace Newman, the violinist of the party,'is the; happy possessor of a very fine instrument, the full, broad, rich tones , of which are beautifully heard in slow legato playing. ;Miss Newman's playing is firm and decisive, her bowing full and strong, with an occasional suspicion of "sawing"; a like carelessness, in. fingering also was responsible for here and there an odd note out of tune. .Miss Newman's items in-' eluded ■ Hauser's ''Hungarian Rhapsodie," a' "Nocturne" from Chopin, a mazurka from Wieniawskij and: Pech-' otsch's "Crade Song" (the last .two being recall numbers). Miss Carlien Juts, the pianist, opened the recital 'with a prelude from Rachmaninoff's folio, adding a'charming morceau for her recall number. Miss Jurs also played, the 'accompaniments :.for/ the other, members of the party! The concert concluded with a d\iot by Mr. Peter Dawson and Miss Ahnetta George—"Sweet and Low" (A. Hollis).:■ .'"; ■< The second concert of the Peter Daweon Company will be given at the Town Hall to-night. Included in to-night's programme Mr.' Dawson will sing several of his well-known.and niost popular iteme. The box plans will he on view at the Dresden Piano Company, when intending patrons , can book their seats.